SS PETER AND PAUL CHURCH 401 Hamilton St Syracuse NY THE ENLIGHTENER

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1 SS PETER AND PAUL CHURCH 401 Hamilton St Syracuse NY AMERICA THE ENLIGHTENER July Vol 39 No 7 Dear Faithful, We v^ere blessed again with the presence of His Eminence, Archbishop Michael on June 25*^ Vladiko was here to pray for us, to pray with us and to bestow the Grace of Ordination upon Subdeacon Alexander Anderson to the Office of Deacon. Fr. Deacon Alexander is now attached to our Ss Peter & Paul Church, Syracuse NY. Thanks be to God and our beloved Archbishop! Vladiko spoke to us about the development of the deaconate from it's inception in the very first century. The Book of Acts describes the setting apart of seven devout men to help the Apostles in the work of the Church, which included St Stephen who also became the First Martyr (Acts 6). He then traced the development through time by giving examples from the lives of several deacons who, through faith, used their talents to the glory of God. Did you know St Athanasius, who was instrumental in defining and formulating our Creed, was a deacon? Another point of concentration was the fact that this office is explicitly patterned after the example of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, "Who came not to be served but to serve" {hat 20:28, Mk 10:45). He reminded us, too, that, as Orthodox Christians we also have that very same calling to minister to our brethren. There are many and varied ways for us personally to fulfill this calling as we are each blessed with a particular grace, gift or talent. Here in our parish, the list of opportunities abounds. There is the ministry of visiting the sick and shut-ins, caring for the elderly and children, visiting those in prison, helping the needy, providing transportation or shopping services to those who are home-bound. There is the ministry concerned with the building up and upkeep of the Church - prosfora bakers, choir singers, readers, altar servers, council members, Church School teachers, coffee hour hosts, bookstore volunteers, chaperones, sponsors, the list is inexhaustible. Regardless of what we do, by using our gifts to the glory of God, we show that we love and follow Christ. To those who do serve God faithfully. He bestows neverending Blessings. Self-centered interest is of no spiritual value to our souls. What we do, how we act, must not only be for the benefit of the other person, but also bring and give glory to God. As a parish community, our Ss Peter & Paul Church is growing. On July 1^*, the Gressel family will be received into the Holy Orthodox Church. Nicholas, Jessica, Natalie and Henry (Paul) will become members through Baptism and Chrismation, which can be witnessed at 4 pm Saturday, July As a member of the Church, you are encouraged to come. We also recently received the Negahnquet family - Elena, George and Aleksandr and their father, Stephen. Thanks be to God, there are others also preparing for reception into the Church. As a result of this influx of God-guided seekers of the True faith, we will soon begin work to document the stories of our parishioners - their background, how they came to be Orthodox, etc.

2 The Enlightener July 2017 Everyone will have the opportunity to tell their story for posterity. We live in an exciting time in the history of the Orthodox Church and we look forward to continued growth, as God Himself "desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth. For there is one God..." (1 Tim 2:4-5). The plan for growth will continue in other ways, as was evidenced on June 25th, by those serving at the Holy Altar: 1 Archbishop, 4 priests, 2 deacons, 5 sub-deacons, 9 acolytes! Our beautiful choir sang the responses, led by a well-educated and talented choir director. The building was packed with at least 175 parishioners, guests and visitors. What a blessing to experience the Holy Church in its fullness, as the image of the Heavenly liturgy to which we all wish to attain. The celebration continued in our cozy Church Parlors as we broke bread, reveled in the spirit of grace bestowed on us through the Sacrament of Holy Communion, and enjoyed true fellowship and community. The grandeur and majesty of the service itself truly impacted our minds and hearts. For all present, this was a glorious day, for it was spent in the love and worship of Almighty God. It was crowded, it was warm, and we can see that perhaps we should be looking forward to expansion in an adequate sized building on the Church grounds that can meet our needs. For those of you who were unable to be with us for an honorable cause, we hope and pray you will make every effort to come each and every Lord's Day. Another small step in moving forward, in growth, in all that we do, will be evident now in the summer after/during coffee hour. Some parents and teachers have offered to help keep the children interested and active in the Church. They will be engaging in brief lessons, stories from the Bible and lives of the Saints, craft projects, and outdoor activities. We invite you to join us in our concern for the salvation of their souls. Vladiko Michael urged each individual to serve God -first in the Church and then in our service to our fellow man - so that one day we may be citizens in the true city of God, in Abraham's Bosom, in the Kingdom of Heaven. This destination is announced at the beginning of every Liturgy as the celebrant, facing east, raises up the Gospel Book, the Word of God and proclaims: "Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen." We are given a foretaste of this Kingdom when we faithfully partake of the Holy Eucharist. Right after receiving this awesome gift, we sing, "We have seen the True Light! We have received the Heavenly Spirit! We have found the True Faith, worshipping the Undivided Trinity Who has saved us!" All of the observations and points of this letter are extremely important to our total wellbeing. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, tells us that "the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand"{ Mt 3:2,4:17,10:7), that the Kingdom of God Is within you" (Lk 17:21), and that it is "taken by force" (Mt 11:12). Let us then struggle against the passions that pull us away from God, and "search the Scriptures" (Jn 5:39 ). Let us show our love for Him and serve Him to His Glory! God is Good! With Love in Christ All the Time!

3 ON THESE GREAT FEASTS WE CELEBRATE THE VIRGIN MARY, THE THEOTOKOS THE NATIVITY OFTHE MOTHER OF GOD, September 8, celebrates Mary's birth. THE ENTRANCE OF THE THEOTOKOS INTO THE TEMPLE, November 21, commemorates the holiness of Mary, who was to become thetemple of God. THE ANNUNCIATION, March 25, recalls the proclamation to Mary that she was to become the Mother of God THE DORMITION, August 15, commemorates the death and glorification of Mary. also remember... The Protection of the Holy Virgin, October 1, celebrating her intercession for the world. In addition to Pascha and the feasts of Christ and His Mother, we observe several feasts in honor of the saints. In fact, every day of the Church year Is dedicated to the memory of particular events and saints. Some of these feasts are especially popular among the faithful and are usually celebrated in parish churches. The more commonly celebrated saints' feasts include: Saint Nicholas of Myra, December 6 The Matemity of Saint Ann, December 9 Three Holy Hierarchs (Saints Basil the Great, Gregory thetheologian and John Chrysostom), January 30 Birth of Saint John the Baptist, June 24 Saints Peter and Paul, June 29 Prophet Elias, July 20 Beheading of St. John the Baptist, August 29 Parish churches usually also celebrate the Name-day of their Patron Saint with special observances.

4 July 2017 Bulletin Board it READERS SCHEDULE July 2' Hours: Larlssa S/ Sophia S Epistle: Tim Chupeck July 9*' Hours: Bill Helwig/Elena K Epistle: Adam Kantor July 16' -th Hours: Peter McElvein/Larissa F Epistle: Matt Chupeck July 23^' Hours: Larissa S /Rachel S Epistle: Peter McElvein July 30*^ Hours: Peter McElvein/Sophia S Epistle: Bill Helwig August 6*^ Hours: Larissa S/Elena K Epistle: Tim Chupeck August 13*^ Hours: Peter McElvein/Rachel S Epistie: Adam Kantor August 20*^ Hours: Larissa S/Sophia S Epistle: Bill Helwig August 27^^ Hours: Bill Helwig/Elena K Epistle: Matt Chupeck Gathering Wednesday July 12*' after Liturgy at 9 am. All are welcome - refreshments, presentation, Questions & Answers Continuing Education The young people of the Parish are encouraged to check in on the stage at on Sundays in the Summer and continue to Grow In God! COFFEE HOUR HOSTS July 2""-- Gressel July 9*''- Anderson July 16^'' -Szymaniak July 23'*^ - Eaton July 30''^ - Kara/Becky Aug 6*' - Swifts Aug 13*' - Matt & Jaclyn Aug 20*' Kondakoff/Sweet Aug 27*' -Ellingworth Next Parish Council Meeting Sunday Sept 17*h ^ 2017 Maines Shoppers Sign up with Christine Sahm for the GIVE BACK PROGRAM to benefit our Church Bottle and Can Drive is on-going to benefit our Church Youth Programs THANK YOU! CONGRATULATIONS AND MANY YEARS! TO FATHER DEACON ALEXANDER ANDERSON AND MATUSHKA TERE ON THE OCCASION OF FATHER DEACON'S ORDINATION Food Pantry Donations are accepted and appreciated all year round, as we continue to team up with St Lucy's Food Pantry to minister to the poor in our area.

5 Creatmartvr and Healer Panteleimon - Julv The Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon was born in the city of NicomedJa into tlie family of the illustrious pagan Eustorgius, and he was named Pantoleon ("a lion in everything"). His mother. Saint Euboula (March 30) was a Christian, but she died when he was just a young child. His father sent Pantoleon to a pagan school, after which the young man studied medicine at Nicomedia under the renowned physician Euphrosynus. Pantoleon came to the attention of the emperor Maximian ( ), who wished to appoint him as royal physician when he finished his schooling. St Hermolaus, a Christian priest, invited the youth to his house and spoke about the Christian Faith. Pantoleon visited him every day to learn more about the Faith. One day the Pantoleon found a dead child on the street. He had been bitten by a great snake, which was still beside the child's body. Pantoleon began to pray to the Lord Jesus Christ to revive the dead child and to destroy the venomous reptile. He firmly resolved that if his prayer were fulfilled, he would become a follower of Christ and receive Baptism. The child rose up alive, and the snake died before Pantoleon's eyes. After this miracle, Pantoleon was baptized by Saint Hermolaus with the name Panteleimon (meaning "all-merciful"). Speaking with Eustorgius, Saint Panteleimon prepared him to accept Christianity. When the father saw how his son healed a blind man by invoking Jesus Christ, he immediately believed in Christ and was baptized by Saint Hermolaus together with the man whose sight was restored. After the death of his father. Saint Panteleimon dedicated his life to the suffering, the sick, the unfortunate and the needy. He treated all those who turned to him without charge, healing them in the name of Jesus Christ. He visited those held captive in prison, usually Christians, and he healed them of their wounds. The envious doctors told the emperor that Saint Panteleimon was healing Christian prisoners. Maximian urged the saint to refute the charge by offering sacrifice to idols. Saint Panteleimon confessed himself a Christian, and suggested that a sick person, for whom the doctors held out no hope, should be brought before the emperor. A man paralyzed for many years was brought in, and pagan priests who knew the art of medicine invoked their gods without success. Then, before the very eyes of the emperor, the saint healed the paralytic by calling on the name of Jesus Christ. The ferocious Maximian executed the healed man, and gave Saint Panteleimon over to fierce torture. Throughout many horrific tortures the martyr remained unharmed. They led the saint to the place of execution and tied him to an olive tree. While the martyr prayed, one of the soldiers struck him with a sword, but the sword became soft like wax and inflicted no wound. When the saint was finished praying, a Voice was heard from heaven calling the passionbearer to Heaven. The Saint then told the soldiers to finish their job. The olive tree became covered with fruit after he was beheaded. Many who were present at the execution believed in Christ. The saint's body was thrown into a fire, but still remained intact. The Christians buried his body with reverence. To this day, many have recourse to the saint to heal both physical and spiritual ailments. The holy Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon is invoked In the Mystery of Anointing the Sick, at the Blessing of Water, and in the Prayers for the Sick. -edited, oca.org

6 July 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 4th /Pentecost "Love is the kingdom which the Lord mystically promised to the disciples, when He said that they would eat in His kingdom: 'You shall eat and drink at My table in My kingdom' (Luke 22:30). What should they eat and drink, if not love?" Saint Isaac the Syrian 4 I 6 8 5th /Pentecost 16 6 th /Pentecost th /Pentecost pm 6 pm 12 9 am Gathering pm 9 am 9 am :30 pm Marriage Blessing - Negahnquet :30 pm Marriage Blessing - Gressel 27 Church School Trip to SEABREEZE th /Pentecost 31 "The prophet Isaiah tells us that we should not, as some think, love only our own people; rather we should say to those who hate and curse us, 'You are our brothers!' And the Gospel also simply says, 'Love those who hate and curse you.' " Saint Theophilus of Antioch